Cardiac Ultrasound Tech Jericho NY - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Select the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Jericho New York

Jericho NY ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have made a decision to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Jericho NY, it’s time to begin the process of picking a college. To begin with, you must find the right program that will provide the proper instruction to become a skilled professional. And because a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on your residence you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your alternatives. But exactly where does one begin? Many prospective students will begin by searching for schools that are within travelling distance of their homes and then by comparing tuition. Of course location and cost should be taken into account when making a decision, but there are additional important factors as well. For instance, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and additional qualifiers will be discussed more in depth later in this post. But to start with, let’s review what a sonogram tech does and the degrees and online training programs that are offered.

Sonographer Work Description

Jericho NY sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also referred to as sonogram techs, diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers) and ultrasound technologists. No matter what their title is, they all have the same basic job description, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound procedures on patients. Although many practice as generalists there are specialties within the field, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. Most work in Jericho NY hospitals, clinics, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Common daily work duties of an ultrasound tech can include:

Keeping records of patient case histories and details of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Prepping the ultrasound machines for usage and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and making them comfortable
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Evaluating results and identifying need for supplemental testing

Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the safety and performance of their machines. They also must adhere to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. So as to sustain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to complete continuing education programs on an ongoing basis.

Sonogram Tech Degrees Offered

Jericho NY ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally require about 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to complete. Another option for individuals who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a related health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that almost all sonographer colleges do have a clinical training element as part of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which many colleges organize with Jericho NY clinics and hospitals. When you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then have to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in New York or whatever state you decide to work in.

Online Sonogram Tech Degrees

woman attending online sonography school in Jericho NY As previously mentioned, almost all sonogram tech colleges have a practical component to their programs. So although you can obtain a certificate or degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at an approved off-campus facility. Practical training can usually be fulfilled through an internship at a local Jericho NY outpatient clinic, hospital or private practice. But the balance of the classes and training may be attended online in your Jericho home. This is especially beneficial for those individuals that keep working while obtaining their degrees. Plus online colleges are many times less expensive than traditional options. Costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just as with any ultrasound tech school you are reviewing, verify that the online program you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for licensing, certification and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Ultrasound Technician Schools

Questions to ask Jericho NY ultrasound tech schools Now that you have decided on which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can start the procedure of assessing and comparing sonogram technician schools. You may first want to decide whether you would rather attend classes online or travel to a school campus in the Jericho NY area. Clearly location will be important if you decide on the latter, and the cost of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are other variables that you should also take into account, such as if the colleges are accredited and if they offer internship programs. Therefore in order to perform your due diligence so that you can make your final selection, following are some questions that you may want to ask each sonographer program prior to making a decision.

Are the Ultrasound Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of sonogram tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Jericho NY employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the ultrasound tech colleges you are interested in have relationships with Jericho NY hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Jericho health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the sonographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with New York healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Jericho NY home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the ultrasound tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the ultrasound tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Jericho NY area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Jericho NY?

If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Jericho New York, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.

Jericho, New York

Its population was 13,567 as of the United States 2010 Census. The area is served by the Jericho Union Free School District and the Syosset Central School District, the boundaries of which differ somewhat from those of the hamlet. The boundaries of the Jericho Post Office vary from both the hamlet and the school district boundaries, notably by including a portion of Jericho in the Westbury zip code, and the inclusion of a portion of Syosset in the Jericho zip code.

Located mainly in the Town of Oyster Bay with a small part in the Town of Hempstead, Jericho was part of the Robert Williams Plantation in 1648. The English families who settled in Jericho were, or soon became, Quakers, members of the Society of Friends. Many fled from persecution in England and in the New England Colonies. They sought a peaceful existence as farmers. The name of the area was changed in 1692 from Lusum to Jericho after the town in the Middle East near the Jordan River mentioned in the Bible as part of the Promised Land.

Elias Hicks married Jemima Seaman in 1771 and moved to her family’s farm in Jericho, where he soon became a noted preacher of Quaker doctrine. All the Quakers suffered during the British occupation of Long Island in the Revolutionary War. The practice was to quarter troops in homes of residents, who had to provide room and board for them. The Quakers continued to protest the entire concept of war itself. After the war, peace returned to Jericho, and the neat farms and businesses began to prosper. A Friends Meeting house was built in 1788 in Jericho that is still used in the 21st century. A Quaker school was built in 1793, the Charity Society of Jericho and Westbury in 1794, and slavery was abolished in 1817, with Hicks' help.

A Post Office was established in 1802, a cider mill in the mid-19th century, the first public elementary school in 1905, known as the Cedar Swamp School. Improvements to infrastructure were made with the founding of the Jericho Water District in 1923. As the population increased, a new elementary school was built in 1953 (Robert Seaman School), and a Volunteer Fire Department established in 1938. The population kept increasing until the last elementary schools in Jericho were built, the George A. Jackson Elementary School in 1957, the now closed Robert Williams School in 1961 and the Cantiague School in 1963. When the Village of Muttontown was incorporated, the cider mill was within the village limits. Because most Gold Coast villages wanted to remain business free areas, many do not have their own post offices or ZIP Codes. Therefore, Jericho Post Office which serves this area of Muttontown is displayed as the official USPS mailing address and leads to the misconception that the cider mill is in Jericho.

Find the Right Cardiac Ultrasound Tech Jericho NY

Selecting the right ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is an important first step to starting a rewarding new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have earned a high school diploma or a GED. Along with meeting academic standards, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, capable of standing for prolonged periods with the ability to routinely lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it frequently necessary to adjust patients and move heavy machines. Other desirable talents include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when confronted by an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Cardiac Ultrasound Tech. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are considering. This is true whether you select an online degree or drive to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the proper questions so that you can evaluate each college, you will be able to narrow down your options until you are left with the best school for your education. And with the right training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as an sonographer in Jericho NY.